AP Calculus AB/BC Multiple Choice Help (MCQ) | AP Calculus | Fiveable (2024)

Multiple Choice Help (MCQ)

AP Calculus AB/BC Multiple Choice Help (MCQ) | AP Calculus | Fiveable (1)

Not my favorite color-by-letter. Image Courtesy ofAlberto G.

Overview ♾️

For many students in AP Calculus, the multiple-choice section is easier than the free-response section. You'll be asked more straightforward skills-based questions, problems typically don't build off of each other,and you have the power to guess. Still, doing well on the multiple-choice requires good test-taking strategies and lots of practice. Here are our tips and tricks to help you do your best in May!

➕Check out this in-depthmultiple choice study guide for more info.

Format 📄

Understanding the format of the exam is key to dividing your studying and pacing yourself when doing practice questions.

The multiple-choice section makes up 50% of your score, and you have an hour and 45 minutes to answer 45 questions. This section has 2 parts:

  • Part A: 60 minutes for 30non-calculator questions.
  • Part B: 45 minutes for 15calculator-required questions.And here's how often each unit shows up on the test:

Exam Weighting

UnitExam Weighting (AB)Exam Weighting (BC)
Unit 1: 10-12%4-7%
Unit 2: : Definition and Fundamental Properties10-12%4-7%
Unit 3: Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and 9-13%4-7%
Unit 4: 10-15%6-9%
Unit 5: Analytical Applications of Differentiation15-18%8-11%
Unit 6: Integration and Accumulation of Change17-20%17-20%
Unit 7: 6-12%6-9%
Unit 8: 10-15%6-9%
Unit 9: , , and (BC only)11-12%
Unit 10: (BC only)17-18%

Tips and Tricks ✏️

  1. If it's a skill you're confident in,do the problem first. Often, the College Board includes "good" wrong answers that can lead you in the wrong direction. Don't get distracted by your answer optionsunless you need to see them to know what you have to do. Remember to trust your gut!
  2. Star problems you struggle withto come back to later. You only have 2-3 minutes per question, so you should get through the test first before you double-check your answers. Make sure to mark a temporary answer on your bubble sheet (e.g. putting a slash through a bubble) so you don't accidentally fill in your answers one space off from where they should be.
  3. If you have time,double-check. Sometimes, there will be a tiny difference between the correct answer and one of the wrong answers. Did you add instead of subtracting? Did you forget a negative? Sometimes, simple algebra mistakes can cost you a question.
  4. Take note of your weaknesses. As you practice multiple choice questions, write down the types of questions you get wrong. Use this information to guide your studying before you take another practice test.
  5. When all else fails, guess. Use your typical guessing strategies (like sticking with the same letter answer any time you guess), and eliminate wrong answers whenever possible. Try not to leave any questions blank, since you won't be penalized for wrong answers. After all, you have at least a 25% chance of guessing right!

Where to Practice 📍

For free AP multiple choice practice, try:

  • These full-lengthAP Calculus AB andAP Calculus BC exams

  • Thesesample questions from the College Board

  • Varsity Tutors'AP Calculus AB andAP Calculus BC diagnostic testsFor free skill practice, try:

  • Fiveable'sstreams and study guides

  • Khan Academy'sAP Calculus AB andAP Calculus BC coursesIf you want more AP-style multiple choice practice, consider buying a prep book. They usually sell for under $20 and have upwards of 3 full-length practice tests. Check out this list of the best prep books [coming soon] for Fiveable's top picks!

Closing Thoughts 💭

If you know the format, use these strategies, and practice until you're confident, you'll rock the multiple choice section of the exam. Good luck! 🎉

Key Terms to Review (12)

Applications of Integration: Applications of integration refer to using integral calculus to solve real-world problems. It involves finding areas, volumes, and accumulated quantities by integrating functions.

Composite Functions: Composite functions are formed by combining two or more functions, where the output of one function becomes the input of another. It's like putting one function inside another to create a new function.

Contextual Applications of Differentiation: Contextual applications of differentiation involve using the concepts of calculus to solve real-world problems. These problems typically require finding rates of change, maximizing or minimizing quantities, or analyzing the behavior of a function in a given context.

Differential Equations: Differential equations are mathematical equations that involve derivatives. They describe how a function changes over time or in relation to other variables.

Differentiation: Differentiation is the process of finding the rate at which a function changes. It involves calculating the derivative of a function to determine its slope at any given point.

Implicit Differentiation: Implicit differentiation is a technique used to differentiate an equation implicitly without explicitly solving for one variable in terms of another.

Infinite Sequences and Series: Infinite sequences are lists of numbers that continue indefinitely, while infinite series are sums of those numbers. They can converge to a finite value or diverge to infinity.

Inverse Functions: Inverse functions are two functions that "undo" each other. When you apply one function and then the inverse function, you get back to where you started.

Limits and Continuity: Limits and continuity are fundamental concepts in calculus that deal with the behavior of functions as they approach certain values or points. Limits describe the value a function approaches as its input gets closer to a particular value, while continuity refers to the absence of any breaks, jumps, or holes in the graph of a function.

Parametric Equations: Parametric equations are a set of equations that express the coordinates of points on a curve or surface in terms of one or more parameters. They allow us to represent complex shapes and motions by breaking them down into simpler components.

Polar Coordinates: Polar coordinates are a two-dimensional coordinate system used to locate points in space using radial distance (r) and angular displacement (θ) from a reference point called the pole.

Vector-valued functions: Vector-valued functions are functions that output vectors instead of scalars. They take in a parameter (usually denoted as t) and produce a vector with multiple components.

AP Calculus AB/BC Multiple Choice Help (MCQ) | AP Calculus | Fiveable (2024)

FAQs

What percent is a 5 on AP Calc BC? ›

- 5: Around 40-50% of students score a 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam. - 4: Roughly 20-25% of students achieve a score of 4. - 3: About 15-20% of test takers earn a score of 3. - 2: Approximately 10% of students receive a 2.

What percentage of people get a 5 on AP Calculus AB? ›

Like many other students, you might be curious to see how well you scored on the overall spectrum. In the 2023 AP Calculus AB score distributions, you'll find that 22.39% of students scored a 5. Additionally, 16.18% of students scored a 4, and 19.4% of students scored a 3.

What percent is a 3 on AP Calc AB? ›

Generally speaking a score of 3 on the AP Calculus AB exam is somewhere between (around) 41 to 53 out of the possible 108 points…so roughly 38% to 49% correct. There are 45 multiple choice problems worth 54 points and 6 free response questions worth 54 points…

Is it easy to get a 5 on AP Calc BC? ›

This common question has no easy answer. To achieve a 5 on the AP® Calculus BC exam, you will need a combination of tenacity, commitment to learning the material, and a dedicated study plan.

What is a 50% on the AP Calc exam? ›

A 50% is considered a 3 or passing. This is when your AP credit is considered in colleges for being qualified, well qualified or extremely well qualified. Also, most exams have multiple parts to them.

What is a 60% on an AP test? ›

Yes, a 60 is considered a passing grade in AP classes. In AP, the average passing rate is 60-70%.

Is a 70 a 5 on the AP exam? ›

Usually, a 70 to 75 percent out of 100 translates to a 5. However, there are some exams that are exceptions to this rule of thumb. The AP Grades that are reported to students, high schools, colleges, and universities in July are on AP's five-point scale: 5: Extremely well qualified.

Is AP Calc AB or BC harder? ›

AP Calculus BC is more difficult than AP Calculus AB. Not only does it include additional topics, which requires an accelerated pace, but the additional units, especially Unit 10, tend to be more difficult than the Calc AB units.

What is the hardest AP class to get a 5 on? ›

10 hardest AP Exams evaluated by pass rate
AP Exam NamePercentage of students who scored a 5
1. 3D Art & Design7%
2. Environmental Science8%
3. Physics 18%
4. Spanish Literature and Culture8%
7 more rows
Jul 29, 2024

Is a 3 on AP exam 50%? ›

As a general guide, though, you can consider roughly more than 70% correct as being in the 5 range, 50-69% for a score of 4, 40-49% for a score of 3, 30-39% for a 2, and below 30% would likely be a 1. Again, these ranges are approximations and can vary by subject and by year.

Is a 3 failing AP? ›

A score of 3 on an AP exam is considered passing, and while it may not be the most impressive score, it won't necessarily harm your application either. Colleges, especially selective ones, primarily focus on the rigor of the courses you've taken and the grades you earned throughout high school.

Are AP exams curved? ›

AP test scores are indeed "curved," but it's more accurate to call it a "scaling process." Instead of a traditional curve that compares your performance to other students' performance, the AP exam scaling process converts your raw score (the number of points you earned through multiple-choice questions and free- ...

Is it hard to get a 4 on AP Calc BC? ›

Let's take a look at the AP Calc BC score distribution. From the College Board's global data on student score distributions, 43.55% of students scored a 5, 15.86% of students scored a 4, and 19.05% of students scored a 3.

Is AP Calc BC harder than stats? ›

In fact, when compared to other AP math classes, like Calculus AB and BC, AP Statistics is often considered the easier option. However, keep in mind that the difficulty of an AP class may vary depending on your individual strengths and weaknesses, so it's important to choose your classes wisely.

Is a 3 on AP Calc BC good? ›

The College Board considers a score of 3 or higher a passing grade. That said, some colleges require a 4 or 5 to award credit. Whether a 3 is a good AP score depends on the colleges you're applying to.

What is the 5 rate on AP Calc BC? ›

In recent years, the rate of students scoring a 5 for the AP Calc BC exam has generally been between 38% and 44%. The overall rate of students passing (scoring a 3 or higher) has been between 77% and 80%. It's important to remember that these statistics shouldn't directly influence your expectations for yourself.

What percent correct is a 5 on an AP exam? ›

Usually, a 70 to 75 percent out of 100 translates to a 5. However, there are some exams that are exceptions to this rule of thumb.

What grade is a 5 on AP Calc? ›

AP Score Scale Table
AP Exam ScoreRecommendationCollege Course Grade Equivalent
5Extremely well qualifiedA+ or A
4Very well qualifiedA-, B+, or B
3QualifiedB-, C+, or C
2Possibly qualified----
1 more row

What percent is a 5 on AP Lang? ›

45-59% = 3. 60-74% = 4. 75% or more = 5.

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